In a quiet week for the planning department, it is mildly ironic that in the middle of an election campaign two projects to harness and measure wind have been green-lighted in Co Westmeath.
It what is usually a pre-cursor to a wind farm, a company called Gaeltech Energy Development has been given permission to erect a 60m anemometer mast for a three year period at a site in Gibbonstown in Rochfortbridge.
This tower will be used to measure and record wind speed and characteristics as they whistle undisturbed across the Bog of Allen.
In a private capacity, it is encouraging to see Mr Michael O'Dowd apply for and get permission to erect a 15m domestic wind generating tower at his site in Farfield, Mount Temple.
The only other project of note within the county to be given permission recently is a plan by the IDA to build a 324 sq m extension to an already approved 4,000 sq m advance unit at its Garrycastle Business Park on the Dublin Road in Athlone.
In the files this week, the only refusals of note are both in Mullingar.
Discount retailer ALDI has been told it is not allowed retain two 4.5m x 0.9m fabric signs on its gable ends for the next three years as they can constitute a distraction to passing motorists.
Just down the road at Bishopgate Street, Quest Homes has been told it cannot convert a three-storey property in Central Park into five apartments and five duplexes.
